HampiHampi is a small town which contains the ruins of the Vijayanagar kingdom, earily spread across a strange boulder strewn landscape reminiscent of central Australia and the Devil's Marbles. We spent three days wandering the many temples, dwellings and rock carvings and taking in the serene atmposhere and spectacular sunsets.

The dwindling tourist numbers meant we got a room for 100 rupees ($3) a night although the frequent power cuts coupled with the heat (45 degrees in the sun), meant sleep was often difficult. Given the weather we took to early morning and late afternoon forays (on foot and bicycle) and then slept in the middle of the day (a practice across Asia that we are very found of and believe the SA public sector could adopt to great success!). Food wasn't too fantastic in Hampi (compared to the rest of India). Most places seemed to think tourists want to eat western food (which is often Indianised into strange concoctions or has names like 'sandwitch treasury' or 'snakes' (snacks)), although we did manage to find the hottest Indian breakfast to date - deep fried and battered whole chillies!

There was definately something about Hampi surrounds - the quiet deserted temple ruins nestled amongst the massive precariously sitting rocks - that has made it one of our favourite stops in India.